2024 Birch Creek Golf Tournament Results

The St. Louis Chapter held a sold-out golf tournament of 120 players on Masters Sunday at the beautiful Birch Creek Golf Club in Union, MO.  Known for its challenging and fast greens, Birch Creek is a fun layout just outside the city that would be enjoyed by the sold out field.  The weather was sunny and perfect, as spring was clearly in the air for the 4^th event of the young Amateur Players Tour Season.  Autohaus BMW was on-site, featuring a beautiful 2024 BMW iX M50 as the spotlight vehicle for the event. 

In Division 1, Ryan Eckelcamp returned to the winners circle, following up his Division 1 Player of the Year Campaign in 2023 with a 2-under par 70 to earn a 2-shot victory over Chad Crawford, who shot his best round yet after being promoted last year from Division 2 with an even-par 72.  Rounding out the money was Drew Lanting and Holden Missey, who each shot 75 to finish in a tie for 3^rd.  On the senior side, John Todd earned the win with a 7-over par 79, edging Michael Clark by a stroke. 

In Division 2, Scott Horton returned to form, earning his first victory of the 2024 season with an impressive 1-over par 73 that featured 2 birdies, earning a 5-shot victory over Greg Garrett, who finished in solo-2^nd with a round of 78.  3^rd place was split between Todd Feuerhaken and Daniel Black with rounds of 79, while 5^th place was a tie between Black Brooks, Chris Turner and Randy Minchew with rounds of 80.  On the senior side, Scott Horton picked up the win with a 73, followed by Greg Garrett (78) and Todd Feuerhaken (79). 

In Division 3, 18 holes would not be enough to decide the event as Ron Polillo, 2023 Global Golf National Senior Player of the Year Simay Souvannarath, and Jeff Rainford each tied with 84 at the end of regulation.  Ron Polillo would return to the winner’s circle, by winning in a playoff in the most competitive division of the day with 15 players within 4 shots of the lead.  Christian Benavides and Ray Morales tied for 4^th with rounds of 85, while Chris Price, Tim Leonberger, Paul Wilson, Michael Burch, Matt Wilson and Daniel Stroud each tied for 6^th with rounds of 86.  On the senior side, Ron Polillo emerged victorious in a playoff over Simay Souvannarath and Jeff Rainford. 

In Divison 4, Gary Orf earned a victory, shooting a stellar 10-over 82 to win by 3 over Matt Hall and Dolly Buenaventura, who finished tied for 2^nd after rounds of 85.  4^th place went to Mike Scalera after a 15-over par 87.  On the senior side, Gary Orf earned the victory with his 82, followed by Matt Hall and Dolly Buenaventura with rounds of 85. 

In Division 5, Christoper Shaw shot an impressive 86 to earn a 4 shot victory over Cliff Austin Jr. who visited from the Kansas City Chapter.  3^rd place was a tie between Jim Seibert and JJ Gladden who finished 5 off the pace with rounds of 91.  Last year’s champion at Birch Creek Tracy Behrle finished in 5^th with a round of 93.  On the senior side, Cliff Austin Jr.  returned to the winners circle, firing a 90 to beat Jim Seibert by one stroke.  Esther Flora finished in 3^rd place with a round of 94. 

In Open Net, Chad Crawford had the best round of the day, shooting a net 6-under 66 to earn a 3-shot victory.  Sunday’s round was the best round Chad has shot since being promoted to D1 last season.  Christopher Shaw, Randy Minchew and Toby Chrzanowski each shot 3-under 69 to finish tied for 2^nd and JJ Gladden shot a 2-under par 70 to finish in solo 5^th. 

In the Global Golf Target Score Game, 13 target scores were purchased ($130) and $475 was won by St. Louis players at Birch Creek!  Players can purchase their Target Score for any APT event for $10 at PlayAPT.golf! 

Up next for the APT is the first Monday event of the year at the beautiful Sunset Hills Country Club in Edwardsville, IL followed by the first elevated event of the season on Monday April 22^nd, with a 36-hole 1-day event at Norwood Hills Country Club (West), host of the Ascension Charity Classic in September.  There is still plenty of time to get into the action, with 15 events remaining in St. Louis for the 2024 season.  Join the tour today at amateurplayerstour.com/join-the-amateur-players-tour!